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Sony Provides New Details for “Toho Godzilla Collection” Blu-rays

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

On May 6, 2014 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release four “Toho Godzilla Collection” Blu-rays. Coming to the North American marketplace in high definition to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the franchise, the sets include double features of GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH (1991) + GODZILLA AND MOTHRA: THE BATTLE FOR EARTH (1992), GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II (1993) + GODZILLA VS. SPACEGODZILLA (1994), GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH (1995) + GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS (2000) and GODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. (2003) + GODZILLA: FINAL WARS (2004). The 2-Disc sets have a SRP of $19.99 each.

The news has created a lot of interest — and quite a few questions — from Godzilla fans. In an exclusive to SciFi Japan, Sony reps have now answered the most frequently asked questions about these Blu-rays…

Q: What is the source for the transfers Sony is using for their Godzilla Blu-rays?

A: The majority of the HD masters for these releases were recently acquired from Toho.

Q: Which versions of the films will be included? The original Japanese cuts, Toho’s international English versions (which usually featured complete English credits and title overlays), or Sony’s DVD versions (some of which were missing the end credits)?

A: The Blu-rays will have the uncut Japanese versions with Japanese and English audio tracks.

Q: Will the film have proper English subtitles or “dubtitles”? Several of the Sony Godzilla DVDs used subtitles that matched the English dubbing rather than the Japanese audio track.

A: The subtitles were created from the original Japanese audio tracks.

Q: Sony’s press release stated that there would be featurettes on the GODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. + GODZILLA: FINAL WARS Blu-rays, but these features aren’t listed on the back cover art for this set. Will the featurettes be included?

A: The info about bonus features in the press release is correct. It’s the same added value that was on the earlier DVD releases.

Q: Does Sony still have North American rights to GODZILLA 2000, GODZILLA, MOTHRA AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK and GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA? These movies were not included among May’s Blu-ray releases.

A: Yes, these films are still licensed to Sony and will be for many years to come.

Q: Is Sony working on Blu-rays for those three films? What about their other Toho titles: THE H-MAN, BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE, MOTHRA and the REBIRTH OF MOTHRA trilogy?

A: We don’t currently have plans to bring them out on Blu-ray, but that could change based on the consumer response to these 8 titles.

Q: GODZILLA 2000 is the only film among Sony’s Godzilla titles to get a North American theatrical release and have distinct Japanese and American versions. If Sony decides to release this movie on Blu-ray would both edits be included? What about the Toho international English dub?

A: We would determine the release strategy for GODZILLA 2000 at the point we decide to bring it out on Blu-ray.

About Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.

For more information on the “Toho Godzilla Collection” Blu-rays please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: